Cuckoo-Roller

I his species has the short legs, heavy bill, and large head of a roller (seepp. ¿¿6-£27), but with its long wings and tail it has a slight resemblance to a cuckoo (seepp. IS8-1VI). A bird of tropical forest and open woodland, it feeds on insects, particularly hairy caterpillars, and also takes chameleons. Liquid whistling notes arc uttered from a perch, or in circling flight over the territory. "» NEST A hole in a tree. • DISTRIBUTION Madagascar.

feathers ruffled and raised as bird turns its head

Male

Plumage Sexes dinfcr m hi

Migration Non.mif,ram

Family (JPUPIDAF.

Species Upup„ epops

Species Upup„ epops

Spread Wing

• crest is almost towered distribution

haired wing pattern probing

-c distribution

Hoopoe l nmistakable with its bold coloring and crest, the I loopoe has stripes that, like those of a zebra, merge into the background when seen at a distance. It feeds mostly on the ground, probing for insects and small lizards. The call is a soft, repeated "hoop" sound.

• REMARK Hoopoes breeding south of the Sahara are sometimes regarded as a separate species.

Spread Wing haired wing pattern

• crest is almost towered probing

-c distribi rnON <1

• white wing patch

tapering • tail

Family PnoKNICUI.IlMK

Species phorniculuspurpuráis Lenf?,h 16 in (40 cm)

Plumage Scxcx .,|,kc

Habitat tit t*

Migration N(,n.mjRfant distribi rnON <1

Green Wood-Hoopoe

Adapted for clambering on tree trunks and branches, this species has short, strong legs and sharp claws for gripping bark firmly. The long, graduated tail with a white bar near the feather tips is used, either closed or spread, as a support. In flight a white wing bar is revealed. This bird occurs wherever there arc large trees except in thick rain forest, individuals following each other in single file in short flights from one tree to another. Green Wood-Iloopoes probe into crevices and holes with their long, slender, slightly curved bills, feeding on insects and other invertebrates, together with some fruit such as berries. This species is sociable and lives in small parties of up to 16 individuals, which are noisy with loud, cackling calls. These are frequently used in social display in which several birds perform a rapid, exaggerated bowing movement, vigorously flexing the tail up and down. Other members of the party help a dominant pair by feeding the incubating female and the nestlings when hatched.

• NEST A natural cavity in a tree, or an old woodpecker hole, up to 72 ft (22 m) above the ground.